State Route 138 is mostly a rural two-lane highway between I-5 and State 14. It passes through a rather flat section of the Antelope Valley area of the Mojave Desert. Near 140th St West, State 138 passes near the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, which can turn a beautiful orange during a good bloom. The reserve is also along an old alignment of 138, having originally followed Lancaster Road before using Ave D in the late 1940’s. Once it reaches State 14, it becomes cosigned with 14 until Palmdale, where it heads east toward the 15 and Crestline. It is quite heavily traveled from Palmdale to I-15.

Postmile marker for Route 48, an unsigned route that was to replace Hwy 138 in this area.Typical view of State 138 across the western segment through the Mojave Desert. Hills visible to the right are a part of Fairmont Butte.Closeup of poppies from 1998.1998 poppy bloom near the Poppy Reserve.1931 culvert under 138 east of Quail Lake.Mileage sign to points along 138. Although it doesn’t go to San Bernardino though, it comes close.North Connector Separation. 138 has a full connection with I-5NB and I-5SB.Westbound view approaching the 5 interchange.Freeway entrance at Quail Lake Road near I-5.

Plans are being laid to widen the route from Palmdale to I-15 from two lanes to a four lane conventional highway (no control of access). A direct connector (flyover) ramp is also planned to better connect 138 east to 18 east at Antelope Junction. Earlier plans (1960’s) called for 138 to be upgraded to a full freeway from I-5 to I-15. That freeway was to be called the Metropolitan Bypass Freeway. Only a short connector was built at the I-5 junction. The California Poppy Reserve is also located near 138 on the west end of the Antelope Valley.

East of I-15, State 138 becomes a very twisty mountain road. Portions have been realigned, mostly around Silverwood Lake. One of the twistiest sections, between I-15 and Summit, will be realigned and bypassed in the next couple of years (2016). The road ends at its junction with State 18 at what I call the “Interchange in the Sky” at Mt Anderson near Crestline.

State 138 between Cajon Junction and SummitThe “Interchange in the Sky” as I call it. This is the eastern end of SR-138. The four lane roadway is Hwy 18.

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A few months ago, I decided to purchase a new domain in the anticipation of moving to northern California. Whether or not that move takes place, I still own that domain. As such, this site may be expanding in scope to cover a few more counties. The new site, NorCalRegion.Com, is still a work in progess, but will cover highways and geology in the northern half of the state. Where that line will be drawn is still being worked out. Look for updates in the coming months for these changes and expansions.

There is a group in Bakersfield trying to get historic route signs posted on the original alignment of US 99 through the Bakersfield area. They could use your support. Check out the site below for more information.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Works has a wealth of information available on their website. With a bit of patience and some looking around, you can find quite a few treasures using their mapping application. I’ve so far found the original survey data for the “Bridge To Nowhere” roadway, plans for other roadways that were never built in the Sierra Pelona Mountains, as well as the forest service permit for the Shoemaker Canyon Road that was never completed.